Warrior's Heart

Chapter Twenty-Eight

By noon the next day, the Company was on the road again. Arielle tried to ignore the stiffness in her legs after several days of not being on horseback. At least her stomach was calm. It was calm and quiet and she was perfectly content, tucked so nicely between her husband's muscled thighs.

She smiled. It had been a wonderful respite in Rivendell. After she and Thorin returned from the courtyard, no one made mention of their absence until supper, when Gandalf mentioned to Elrond that he'd gone by the chambers Thorin and Arielle shared in order to speak with Thorin about a matter, only to find them empty. She and Thorin sat across from one another at the long table and her stomach did a slow, delicious flip when he looked at her and a sly smile came to his lips while his blue eyes glinted with a hint of mischief. There was something powerful about that smile, that look, and knowing that she was the only one who knew the meaning behind it.

The afternoon in the courtyard paled in comparison to what happened between them beneath the light of the silvery moon. And now, as his arm tightened about her waist, she shivered with remembering.

"Are you cold, princess?"

"No." She peered up at him. "I was just thinking about last eve, is all."

That same slow grin he'd flashed the previous night returned. "Which part of last eve, love?"

"All of it."

He leaned forward to press a kiss into the top of her head. "It was a lovely night, indeed. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. Amara's tea is a miracle."

His hand came to rest on her lower belly and she covered it with hers. "Tiriana or Thrór is sleeping peacefully."

His arm tightened slightly, then eased as Gandalf said, "We will head west, across the plains once more. Be at the ready for anything and everything."

"Well, that is helpful," Dwalin muttered.

"Hush," Thorin growled, although he did so with a grin. "There isn't much else he can tell us, is there?"

Balin's pony ambled alongside Thorin's and he said, "How are you feeling this morning, m'lady?"

She smiled at him. "I feel fine, thank you. Amara is a wonderful healer. Far more so than Isarrel, to be sure."

"Good. We were all worried for you."

Thorin gave her a wink. "Let me ask you all something," he said, twisting slightly in his saddle. "Arielle and I were having a bit of a debate the other evening and—"

"Thorin, you are not going to ask them what I think you're going to ask them, are you?"

"Of course I am." He glanced at the others. "She thinks I am biased in thinking she is beautiful. And I'll admit, I am to a certain degree, but tell me, is there a man here who finds this she-elf repulsive?"

"Is he joking?" Ori asked, looking around.

"I don't know," Fili replied. Then he narrowed his eyes at Thorin. "Are you joking, Uncle?"

"I am not. I am curious. Is there a man in this company who feels Arielle of Mirkwood is not the stunning beauty I think she is?"

Nori cleared his throat. "She is a bit on the thin side." He quickly smiled, though and added, "But you are still absolutely lovely, my lady. Lovely, indeed."

Kili shook his head. "Thin? Hardly. The lady is stunning and my uncle is the most fortunate man to have won her hand."

Dwalin coughed. "She is cute."